Interview With Author Wade Gustafson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Wade Gustafson is a Colorado native who spent 20 years living in Texas and traveling throughout the United States before returning to his home town of Loveland. During his early adulthood, Wade developed and authored text-based video games accessible to the visually impaired. Over the years he has dabbled in the video game industry working on titles such as NBA Jam Tournament Edition developed by Midway Games and a yet to be announced title by AAA game studio, Sharkmob, creators of Vampire: The Masquerade, Bloodhunt.
Wade’s love for world creation came to fruition with his debut novel, “Crowe”, which is the first book in the Subterranea Saga of novels. “Crowe” is available in paperback, for Kindle, and as an Audible audiobook narrated by professional voice actor, Stockton Harris. The Subterranea Saga continues in book two, “Claudia”, which will be released simultaneously in print and on Audible in the fourth quarter of 2022. Wade has also written several screenplays, which have been produced as short films and been awarded honors at film festivals. His first and only stage play was produced and performed live at a Texas theater.
In addition to his various writing projects, Wade remains an active part of the gaming community where he streams live gameplay weekly as “Fat Gandalf” at http://www.twitch.tv/fatgandalfttv. Excerpts of gaming highlights and various clips can be found on Wade’s YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/fatgandalf
If you’d like to support Wade Gustafson’s writing, then please leave reviews of his work on Amazon and Audible. If you’d like to talk to Wade directly, or play on stream, drop by his Twitch channel where his live stream schedule is posted.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published title is “Crowe”, which is book one of the Subterranea saga. Crowe is the culmination of a lifetime-long love of fantasy tales and begins the epic journey of characters that continue in book two, “Claudia”, which will be published around Christmas of 2022.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve been fortunate to team up with narrator Stockton Harris, who records the Audible versions of my novels. Not only that, but when I write a chapter I send that over to Stockton and get back the recorded version in a day or so. This means I get to actively listen to my stories as I write them, and that is just an incredible source of continued inspiration.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book is “Earth Abides” by George Stewart. I listen to a lot of audiobooks these days, with Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, Tess Gerritsen, and Anne Rice being some of my go-to authors.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the final chapters of “Claudia”, which is book two of the Subterranea saga.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea, I’m no good at that part. Mostly, my sales have come from word of mouth reaching all the way back to the first people I strongarmed into reading my work. I rely a lot on good reviews, so please take some time to tell others about my books and review them anywhere you see the option to do so!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stop planning your book, and just write it! You can go back and make it perfect later, but for now, start putting pages behind hyou.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Once is never, twice is always.
What are you reading now?
Blood and Gold, by Anne Rice.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I recently completed a project that let me work on an unannounced AAA video game title. I’m hopeful that the new IP will take off and I’ll be able to do some novels set in the world that I helped create for the developers.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Earth Abides, Moby Dick, and any one of those “desert island survival guidebooks”. 🙂
Author Websites and Profiles
Wade Gustafson’s Social Media Links